When contacted, group public relations manager for Banks Holdings Limited (BHL), Sophia Cambridge, said the separations were fully discussed with the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) and the affected staff. “There have been full and transparent discussions with both the BWU and affected staff and we have embarked on a number of steps to prepare all involved,” she said.
Cambridge said that in early 2009, the brewery had signalled its intention to its shareholders to build a new facility in Newton, Christ Church to replace its ageing plant in Wildey, St Michael and advised the BWU about possible retrenchments since February 2010.
She said the new plant was less labour-intensive and therefore did not need the same number of staff, so the brewery underwent change management training for staff to prepare them either for the move or for possible separation.
Cambridge said 17 of the 28 staff made redundant opted for voluntary separation while 11 had qualified for and were offered early retirement.
